Donald Trump ‘benefits’ only from chaos and turmoil: Governor Christie

Former President Donald Trump’s call to protest ahead of a possible indictment stems from his desire to create “chaos and unrest”, former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie has said.

Trump wrote in a Truth Social article on Saturday that he expects to be arrested on Tuesday following an investigation by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg into an alleged payment made to adult film star Stormy. Daniels. The silent payment was allegedly made during his 2016 presidential campaign for an alleged affair between the two, which he denied.

Trump has maintained his innocence in the matter, and he and his allies have accused Bragg of launching a politically motivated investigation. Others, however, say the alleged campaign finance breach should have been properly investigated years ago.

Christie, who helped Trump’s 2020 re-election campaign but has since turned against the ex-president, weighed in on Trump’s social media post during an appearance on ABC News’ This week on Sunday. He described Trump’s post as part of a political “circus” and explained the reasoning why the former president would call for protests.

“The circus continues,” Christie said. “Look, he only profits and does well in chaos and turmoil. So he wants to create chaos and turmoil on his terms.”

Christie went on to say why an indictment would only hurt Trump as he runs for the 2024 Republican presidential primary, explaining that an indictment “never helps anyone” run for office. political functions.

He said he believes many Americans may take this investigation less seriously than other Trump investigations — including investigations into his conduct surrounding the 2020 presidential election and classified documents allegedly found at his Trump residence. Mar-a-Lago in Florida – but that his image could take a hit from the optics of an indictment.

“I don’t think the American people view this as a huge crime,” Christie said. “But the vision of a former president of the United States being processed, fingerprinted, mugshot. What else do you expect Trump to say… other than to say it helps his campaign? But being indicted , I don’t think, ever helps anyone.”

Some Republicans have suggested an indictment would only help Trump’s 2024 candidacy. South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham said on Saturday that Bragg had “done more to help Donald Trump get elected president than anyone else in America.”

Former U.S. Attorney Gene Rossi said Newsweek Sunday that he thinks Trump’s campaign could get a boost in the coming weeks, but an indictment will be a net negative as Republican voters realize they shouldn’t nominate a candidate who has been indicted.

Rossi said Trump’s latest remarks were likely aimed at gaining support from his base, but were unlikely to benefit him legally.

“If I were his lawyer, I would cringe at the thought of my client posting such a [Truth Social post] it involves violence, given what happened on January 6,” he added. “Most importantly, if it goes to trial and there is a legal process, his message can be used as evidence to strengthen the government’s case.”

Newsweek contacted Trump’s campaign press office by email for comment.